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opinion on the part of Your Majesty's Government which you may desire that I should receive. When Her Majesty the Queen has signified her approval of Mr. Moss's appointment, he will receive the necessary instructions for his guidance at my hands, and then return to take up his duties at Earotonga. Eecommending Mr. Moss for favourable reception. I have, &c, 27th October, 1890. Onslow.

No. 4. Telegram from His Excellency the Governor to Mr. Moss, per s.s. " Kichmond." Eussell, 27th October, 1890. I understand that you will proceed at once to Earotonga before receiving Her Majesty's approval of your appointment as Eesident. You will please understand that you have no authority to advise or act on behalf of Her Majesty—that your visit is entirely unofficial; and that, on your return, should the appointment be confirmed, you will report to me upon the state of affairs in Earotonga, with special reference to the importation of spirituous liquors, and the possibility of aiding the local authorities to put a stop to it, and as to the alleged expulsion of a British subject from Mangaia, upon which you will receive instructions for your guidance after your appointment as Eesident. Onslow.

No. 5. Despatch from His Excellency the Governor to the Secretary for the Colonies. (No. 55.) My Lord,— Wellington, 31st October, 1890. I have the honour to inform you that I received the following memorandum from the Premier on the 25th instant. I insert memorandum advising appointment of Mr. Moss. Mr. Moss was some time member for Parnell, one of the suburbs of Auckland, and prior to that filled the office of Provincial Treasurer of Otago. The character of Mr. Moss has always stood high in the estimation of his fellow-colonists, and I consider that the Government of New Zealand have been fortunate in securing the services of so well qualified an individual for a post the emoluments of which are but small. I have already informed your Lordship by telegraph of the recommendation of my Advisers, and have requested your Lordship to take steps to fulfil the wishes of my Government at the earliest possible date. There has been a slight disturbance in one of the islands of the group, and a gentleman claiming the rights of a British subject states that he has been compelled to leave the islands. Mr. Moss has already considerable experience of the Pacific Islands, and his work " Through the Atolls " is doubtless known to your Lordship. As some time must elapse ■ before the appointment of Mr. Moss can be received, Mr. Moss proposes, w T ith my sanction and at the expense of the Government of the colony, to pay a visit to the Hervey Group and report to me on his return as to the state of affairs there, when I shall give him the necessary instructions for his guidance, after taking the advice of my Ministers thereon. I have given Mr. Moss clearly to understand that his present visit is purely unofficial, and that he is not empowered in any way to act for or advise on behalf of Her Majesty, and I have heard from Mr. Moss that his action will be entirely guided by those considerations. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. Onslow.

No. 6. British Eesident at Earotonga appointed. Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 25th November, 1890. His Excellency the Governor directs it to be notified that he has received Her Majesty's commands to appoint Frederick Joseph Moss, Esquire, to be British Eesident at Earotonga, in the Cook or Hervey Islands, and to act for the Colony of New Zealand as Government Agent in all matters relating to trade. Fred. Whitakee. (In the absence of the Colonial Secretary.)

No. 7. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Earl of Onslow. My Lord, — Avarua, Earotonga, 21st November, 1890. I have the honour to report my arrival here on the 18th instant, having left Auckland on the 2nd in the trading schooner "Torea."